Today's Opinions

While my best friend was designing her “signature scent” in a fancy parfumerie in Covent Garden, I was next door at the cookie shop, deciding between Double Chocolate Chunk and Raspberry Macadamia. Actually, I knew I would choose Double Chocolate Chunk, but I took my time because designing a signature scent takes forever.

Finally, she emerged smelling nearly as delicious as the cookie I was wolfing down. Holding up a small vial, she explained, “They store the formula, so, I can purchase more in the future!”

There is a reason that freedom of speech is the first amendment to the United States Constitution. It is because we are really the only country that has such unfettered freedom.

As is so frequently and eloquently pointed out by my friend Saddique Malik in various articles in the Courier Journal concerning Muslim fundamentalism – “free debate is a death-knell for fundamentalism.” … “it’s the freedom, stupid”

An effort by the Oldham County Sheriff’s Department and the Oldham County Police on October 26th to remove prescription drugs from circulation in Oldham County was a big success.

In partnership with the DEA, the agencies took in a combined eighty three pounds of unused and expired prescription drugs, pills, liquids and creams. Three hundred used and unused syringes were also turned in.

Fifteen facial muscles contract and there is electrical stimulation of the zygomatic major muscle. That’s the muscle that extends from each cheekbone to the corners of the mouth. This raises the corners of the mouth. Currents of varying intensity produce a wide range of facial responses.

We need to be kind, truly kind, for the sake of other people and for our own sake too.

It is impossible to stretch out to other people through your emotions, imagination, concern, interest and actions without also benefiting yourself. Your world grows larger and you problems grow smaller.

Throughout my life, Halloween has always been a mixed bag. And the bag wasn’t always full of treats.

The first few years of growing up, I celebrated just like all the other early 1970’s kids. Mom and I made homemade popcorn balls in various colors. She distributed them to trick-or-treaters while daddy and I dressed up and collected treats from the neighbors.

For me, Halloween marks the beginning of a prolonged holiday season of good times, good food and an overriding sense of good cheer.

It is also the beginning of what is undoubtedly one of the busiest times of the year. With school activities, family get-togethers, organization and club events, church concerts and pageants, business open houses and all the cities that need to be lit up, there is never a shortage of things to do between Oct. 31 and Dec. 31.

Sometimes a problem looks and feels severe when I am hungry, exhausted, overwhelmed or stressed. It’s hard to trust who I am when I feel pushed around by my own moods and emotions.

Knowing how to soothe myself can radically change the situation. Soothing yourself is a skill that is easily learned but must be practiced. It switches off the response in the brain that produces a racing heart, limited thinking, tense muscles, sweaty hands, sleeplessness and even panic, anxiety and depression.